Samuel p



' s. P. Bors.

LUMBER RULE.. APPucATlon mso AuG.23. ma.

Patented J 1115' 1,' 1919.

SAMUEL P. Borsa?, or WASHINGTON, Vnisrnro'r or COLUMBIA.

Louisan-RULE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1, 1919.

Application led August 23, 1918. Serial No. 251,172.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL P. Borsr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, 'in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in .Lumber-Rules, of which the following is a speci'cation.

his invention relates to lumber rules, the object of the invention being to provide a strong, flexible and reliable lumber measuring and handling rule, embodying in con junction with a flexible rule or strip proper, a head and ferrule of novel construction and relation to each other, whereby the head is securely fastened to the body of the rule, and adapted by reason of its particular construction to greatly facilitate the longitudinal movement of planks and the turning or twisting of the same, so as' to invert the boards or planks or turn the same with the reverse side up for inspection purposes.

With I@he above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved lumber rule, showing one manner of using the rule in connection with a pile of lumber indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the rule, showing the improved head and retaining means therefor.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the rule which is preferably made of strong, fine grained wood, such as white hickory, the same being provided at one end with an enlarged or expanded handle 2. The rule is graduated throughout its length in any standard measurement, such as feet, inches, and fractions thereof.

Secured in fixed relation tothe end of the body of the rule opposite the handle 2, is a multiple pronged head 3.

The head 3 comprises a substantially rectangular body 4 having a rectangular central opening 5 which is flared outwardly as indicated by dotted lines at 6 in Fig. 3. Projecting from each of the corners of the body 4 of the head 3 is a prong or spike 7,V four of such spikes being shown, two projecting 1n one direction and two projecting in the opposite direction.

As the connecting means between the head 3 and the rule 1, I employ a tang or connector 8 embodying two backwardly extending plate-like portions 9 between which the adjacent end of the body 1 of the rule is tightly held by means of fasteners 10 such as rivets or the like, which provide a firm connection between the rule and the connector 8. The connector also comprises a crown or connecting portion 11 forming a shoulder which bears against the adjacent face of the head 3. Extending from the shoulder 8 is a shank 12 which is primarily rectangular in cross section, but which, after being inserted through the rectangular opening 5 in the head 3, is swaged as shown in Fig. 3, so as to completely and tightly fill the opening 5. This forms a strong and reliable connection between the head 3 and the connector 8, while the latter forms a secure connection between the head and the body of the rule.

By reason of the construction above described, the rule, as a whole, is rendered stronger and more reliable in operation than articles of a similar kind heretofore dcvised,

\ and by reason of using pairs of prongs extending in opposite directions from the head a firm hold 'may be obtained on a board or piece of lumber not only for the purpose of dragging or pushing the lumber lengthwise, but for turning the lumber over so as to present the reverse side thereof upwardly, it being understood that the prongs or spikes are driven into the upper face of the clamp or board before the turning operation is attempted. The flexibility of the body 1 of the rule provides for the necessary twisting or torsonial action thereon and prevents the breaking of or serious injury to the body 1 during the plank turning operation.

I claim 4 In a device of the class specified, the combination of a rule body, a head at one extremity thereof having a rectangular and outwardly flared central opening, and also formed with two pairs of prongs projecting in opposite directions, the prongs of each ,pair being arranged in spaced relation to Copies of this patent may be obtained for tion connecting said piatelike portions and forming an integral part thereof, and a shank projecting from said crown through l0 the central opening of the head and sWaged to*k tightly fitY said flared In testimony wher Washington; D.' Cz

central opening. eo I afiX my signature.

AMUEL P.. BOPST.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 

